title: Predicting body composition in college students using the womersley and durnin body mass index equation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  When assessing fitness levels, body composition is usually measured. The purpose of this study was to determine the overall efficacy of a body mass index (BMI) equation for predicting body composition with respect to college aged participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Body composition was measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and was estimated using the Womersley and Durnin BMI prediction equation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant (P=0.8) percent body fat (%BF) difference between the BMI prediction equation and DXA (BMI Predicted=25 (10) [min=6; max=52] %BF vs DXA=25 (6) [min=10; max=45] %BF). In addition, a significant correlation was found between the two approaches (r=0.791, P=0.001). However, both the standard error of estimate (6.32 %BF) and total error (6.63 %BF) were outside acceptable ranges for prediction equations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Womersley and Durnin equation for estimating %BF was not found to be a good estimate. Therefore, although the BMI predicted %BF has been previously found to predict skinfold estimated %BF, it does not appear valid in estimating %BF from DXA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Exercise Science. The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA.
authors.forename: Jeremy P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Loenneke
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hirt
authors.forename: Jacob M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Jeremy T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Pujol
keywords: Body Fat; Fat Mass; Percent Fat